Irish soccer team to play England at Wembley stadium in May 2013

Ireland set to play England at Wembley Stadium next May
Photo by: Google Images

The Republic of Ireland soccer team is set to play England in a friendly match at Wembley stadium 29th May 2013 as part of the English Football Association’s 150-year anniversary celebrations.

This game will take place just nine days before Giovanni Trapattoni’s team host the Faroe Islands in a World Cup qualifier at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland and England have not played a match since February 1995 at Lansdowne Road. This game was postponed after 27 minutes when English fans started rioting.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) had tried to meet with the English Association before the UEFA European Championships this summer, reports BreakingNews.ie. However this meeting was shelved when the UEFA Cup draw meant there was a possibility that Ireland and England could have faced each other in Poland, in the quarter-finals.

Club England Managing Director Adrian Bevington said “We’re delighted Brazil will kick-off the FA’s 150th anniversary celebrations at Wembley. 2013 is a landmark year for The FA and an exciting England fixture programme, in addition to Wembley hosting the UEFA Champions League Final, will form a key part of the celebrations.

“As the most successful footballing nation, with great players and supporters, it will be fantastic to launch this important year in English football's history against such outstanding opponents as Brazil. We also look forward to hosting Republic of Ireland and Scotland at Wembley next year. These matches are sure to evoke great passion among supporters.”

The proposed game in Wembley next May will also mean that the FAI will owe the English a game on their home turf also.